Favourite Small Touches in My Bedroom Right Now

You may have noticed that my bedroom has been the centre of attention these past few weeks. I reckon deep down it's because I'm preparing for my winter hibernation - and a whole load of reading under those bed covers! Do you find yourself naturally gravitating indoors over the autumn / winter too? I realised today that I've shared a load of info about the larger items in the room - such as the wall colour, as well as the armchair, headboard and bed covers (which reminds me, tomorrow is the last day to claim your 20% discount if you're looking to buy something from Bemz - more info here!), but since the devil is in the detail, I also wanted to share some info about the smaller pieces! 

I've had the bedside stool for years - and I have to say, it's one of my favourite pieces. I see they sell similar at the Old Wooden Stool* company. The Ikornnes mirror is from IKEA (I love the ash finish and that you can hang clothes on the rail on the back (maybe I might just hang my clothes up at night for once!).  

This beautiful wall light is the Arum wall light* by Danish brand Ferm Living. I love how it's similar to the wall colour yet still stands out due to its form. Do you like it too? 

On my bedside table is the pretty Vulca mini vase with grey dots and beside that is the Vulca mini vase agave - leaving just enough space for a coffee / glass of water and a book! Below is the large Vulca Vase* (do you see a pattern forming?). I love the irregularity and texture. 

Another new piece: the Motljus print* by Sandra Blomén Machinsky. 'Motljus' means 'backlight' in Swedish. It might make its way up on the wall soon, but for now, I love looking at it from my side of the bed! 

Our windowsill doubles up as a ledge for plants and books (and more often than not, a row of coffee cups and glasses!). I've also added the Anse vase* and Anse pot (how cool are the handles?).

Through the window, you can just make out the outline of a building - and beyond that, is the sea. When are neighbours have their curtains open, we can see the sparkling waters through their windows! I'm not sure if an estate agent would classify that as a 'sea view' but we'll take it! 

The bedside light is the classic Mantis BS3 table lamp - I've had it for donkeys and never grow tired of it. 

Peeking behind the vase is my book The Scandinavian Home - I don't usually surround myself with my own books, I promise! 

One of the most asked about items in my bedroom is the pendant light. It's from Paris au mois d'aout. It's also a point of contention as I've had a few comments questioning the size and height over the bed. It works for us, but I guess we're used to it! I love to play with scale and feel that it's important to have at least one thing in a room that's oversized. It adds so much interest. 

The bench is from Skovby and under foot is the Tisca Olbia rug (we painted the wood floor in 'Strong White' - from Farrow & Ball, which strangely, is actually a pale shade of grey!). 

I think that's everything but if I missed anything please do give me a shout below! 

Speaking of which, I'm working to fix commenting issues this week so bear with me if it looks a bit weird / not working in the way you'd like - hopefully it'll be resolved in the next few days. 

Har det så bra!

Niki

Photography: Niki Brantmark 

Styling: Helen Sturesson

*This post contains gifted press items and affiliate links - which means that if you click on a link and buy an item I might make a very teeny amount of money, perhaps enough to cover a morning coffee (a small one!). 

READ MORE...

4

Bedroom Details: One bench, Two Different ways

Sponsored by Skovby, all words and photos are my own and I only ever work with brands I love

Do you find that you only know something was missing until you add it - often by accident? I was asked by Danish brand Skovby to photograph the beautiful #833 Bench. I was originally considering placing it by the kitchen table, or in the hallway - but following my bedroom make-over last week, I realised where it really belongs is at the foot of my bed! If you have the space for one, benches are ideal as they can be used for so many different things - a place to sit and get dressed in the morning, somewhere to enjoy a cup of coffee (it makes a great midpoint between languishing in bed and entering the world!) - or a perfect place to store books and other treasures. Here's this beauty of a bench, styled two different ways: 

1. The dressing bench 

Why hop about the room trying to put on socks when you can chill on a bench in style! Place a little basket underneath for slippers or chunky knit socks and blankets. If you feel the chill in the night, you can reach down and grab it, without even rustling the covers! 

Any bench will do, as long as it's the right length. But I have to say, the Skovby #833 Bench is absolutely beautiful - and ideal. It's crafted from solid wood and 170 cm long making it a perfect three-seater and an ideal length for a180 cm wide bed (it's little sister, the #832 bench is 120 cm is suitable for narrower ones). 

If you prefer a darker look, it's also available in oak oil and black oak versions - all with the lovely brass detail. 

2. The storage bench:

The long surface makes this bench an ideal place for books and other items - a little like a mini library at the foot of your bed!  For this styling we also added a vase with lilac from the garden - but I am the first to admit it's not entirely practical as Per pointed out (while removing countless cushions before settling in for the night!!). I was merely exercising a little artistic license, and it does look pretty, right?

Not only does solid wood have a beautiful patina, it can also last a lifetime when handled with care. Soap and vegetable oils can help to impregnate, nourish and maintain the wood so it stays beautiful. 

Needless to say, I'm keeping this bench right where it is! 

Which look / use do you prefer ? Could you imagine having a bench at the end of your bed? Or perhaps you already do! 

If you're feeling inspired, hop over to Skovby to find your nearest store. 

See also: the perfect counter stool in my kitchen, Per's home office, my temporary dining room update and  a new glass cabinet. 

Have a fabulous, relaxing weekend - see you Monday! 

Niki

Photography: Niki Brantmark

Styling: Helen Sturesson

This post is brought to you in paid partnership with Skovby. All words are my own and I only ever work with brands I love and think you will too! Thank you for supporting the exceptional Scandinavian businesses that make My Scandinavian Home possible. 

READ MORE...

11

My Autumn Bedroom Make-over with an IKEA hack

Paid partnership with Bemz which includes affiliate links, all words are my own*

Hejsan! I'm curious: are you a fan of change? I love change and find that surrounding myself with a new environment always gives me new energy (Per's actually the opposite, which can be, shall we say interesting!). I often make small changes at home, but with Autumn looming (dare I say it!) I felt it was time for something bigger!

As pretty as it was, I've grown tired of the 'blushing peach' wall in the bedroom and felt it was time to change up our bedroom to give it a fresh lease of life. Per and I applied lime paint to the walls a few weeks ago, and I've since been layering the room with new pieces as well as beautiful textiles from Bemz (the Swedish brand makes luxurious designer textile covers, cushions and other accessories for IKEA furniture and I've been a fan ever since my sitting room make-over way back in 2017!). So, what 's changed in the bedroom? Here's the low down: 

Overall look

To me, a bedroom should have a wonderful element of calm. It should be somewhere that's easy to switch off - and also somewhere heavenly to wake up. I consulted with the MSH interior designer Helen - and we decided to go for soothing tones of white and soft beige as well as cosy Autumnal tones of cocoa, acorn and rosemary. So pretty together! 

I've also added a new mirror (we've never had a full body one so maybe I'll no longer look like I've been getting dressed in the dark!), various vases and a reading lamp (all Ferm Living)! 

Let's get started with the bigger pieces: 

Headboard

As you may have noticed, we've never had a headboard before. To be honest, I always thought it was impossible with the window. But I was keen to give it a go as I knew it would make our bed feel so much more sumptuous and 'grown-up'(!) come Autumn! 

This one is the STAVANGER / BORÖY headboard from IKEA which is perfect as it just slots between the bed and the wall leans. I then added a Bemz universal headboard cover which comes in different widths and a choice of 130+ fabrics, and it just slides on over the top of any headboard. How crazy is that? See the end of the post for details on discount and samples.

I chose a new linen fabric which launches this Autumn (more info to follow!),  however, there are a couple of other beautiful white linen fabrics available. 

Side note: the windowsill has always doubled up really nicely as a shelf for books, plants, my Anse vase and morning coffee  - and admittedly a whole host of other things like batteries, receipts etc *rolls eyes!*.  

The bed skirt

Are you a fan of bed skirts? Once considered twee and a little OTT (I am still scarred by some of the floral ones I witnessed in the eighties!), bed skirts have totally come into their own in recent years, have you found the same? 

I love them as they hide a multitude of sins under the bed including unsightly bed bases, storage and that ghostly black gap (hands up anyone who's ever checked under their bed before going to sleep). Plus, they add a wonderful element of calm to the room. 

My new one is the Boxpleat, Rosendahl Pure Washed Linen, Absolute White. It's so pretty - and has a lovely, relaxed feel about it. 

Bedspread

I love a throw. They make a bed look so much neater when made. This is the Loose Fit, Brera Lino by Designers Guild, Natural which has beautiful seams (if you're thinking of getting this, go big. My bed is 180 cm x 200 cm and I opted for the 240 cm x 240 cm one). 

I love the subtle contrast with the white bed skirt too. What do you reckon? 

Cushions

I'm not sure how these cushions slipped through the net (Per banned me from buying more for the house sometime a go) - but I'm so glad they did! I always think Cushions are a perfect way to add accent colours (this time I went for Autumn vibes in acorn, cocoa and rosemary)- and also to snuggle up against for some cosy bedtime reading. 

I picked out four larger cushions to lean against the headboard (size 60 x 80 cm) and then smaller ones to pile on (50 x 50 cm).  

Armchair

A bedroom wouldn't be complete without a 'chairobe' (your entire wardrobe of clothes waiting on a chair to be put away or worn...!), guilty of this? I am! 

We've had an IKEA Söderhamn armchair in our bedroom for donkeys, and I was keen to cover it in a retro bouclé, tweed or teddy from the new Bemz Tactile Collection. You'll most likely have spotted the trend for textured fabrics over the past 12 months and now we can all update our existing IKEA sofas and armchairs! Liking that a lot! 

I chose the Söderhamn Armchair cover regular fit, Boucle, ivory. All I need now, is a pile of books and a candle and I'm good to go! 

And that's it! 

I hope you like our new bedroom as much as Per and I do!

If you've got questions about anything you've seen just give me a shout and I'll be happy to help. I'll likely do a follow-up post highlighting the details soon (just in case you're curious about the vases, lamp, print etc!). 

If you're interested in buying a Bemz cover, I'd advise ordering samples first so that you can test out the colours and fabrics at home (it can be hard to tell online). 

Right guys, that's it from me. Wishing you all a lovely day! 

I'm tempted to go back to bed now, what do you think? 

Niki

Photography; Niki Brantmark

Styling: Helen Sturesson

This post is brought to you in paid collaboration with Bemz and contains affiliate links. However, all words are my own and I only ever work with brands I absolutely love and think you will too (#Ilovemyjob!). Thank you for supporting the businesses that help bring fresh content to your mail box and make My Scandinavian Home possible.

READ MORE...

5

My New Home Yoga Studio / Corner!

Kindly sponsored by Sponsored by Nordal (all words, photos and product choices are my own)*:

Hej hej! Are you ready for the week ahead? The girls went back to school this morning (I can't tell you how hard it was for us all to wake up!), which officially marks the end of our carefree summer holiday - and the return to what will no doubt be a crazy Autumn. Eeek! This season, I've decided to do things a little differently. I've always been one of those people who loves to run around at a hundred miles an hour (my preferred choice of sport has always been tennis and jogging) - how about you? But due to unforeseen circumstances back home in London (more to follow soon when I feel ready), I've decided to take care of myself more in the coming months - take some time out here and there and slow down. 

I've been meaning to start yoga for several years and I finally took the leap a few weeks back - turning to my dear friend Sarah Brooks-Wilson (who's been practising yoga for years) for advice. Sarah helped me pick out these fine specimens from Danish brand - Nordal (co-owner Signe Nordal runs a yoga and Ayurveda studio called Simple Days in Sondrup, Denmark and developed this wonderful collection for Nordal as a result). And we spent a few days transforming a disused corner of Per's and my bedroom into a mini yoga studio! 

I promise I won't be sharing any pictures of my Downward-facing Dog pose just yet (trust me, it's not something you'd want to see!) - but I thought you might like to see some pictures of my yoga area, just in case you're looking for inspiration!

I've always loved this corner of our bedroom. It's flooded with natural light and since it's on the top floor - very calm. In the past it's been used as everything from a home workspace to more recently, a dumping ground for all kinds of things - big and small. It feels great to finally make use of it again!

As with the rest of my home, I was keen to stick to natural materials - selecting pieces in wood, cork, rattan and cotton - as well as ensuring beautifully soft fabrics and a clutter-free look in order to be able to really switch off! 

The yoga items include a cork mat, cotton belt and super soft blanket, cork blocks as well as a water flask (this one is GIANT and my whole family loves it, to be fair it could suffice for all of us on an outing - but so far, I've managed to hold onto it up here, let's see how long it lasts). And the large bolster is also super helpful. 

The screen is also from Nordal - I've had it a few years now (you might remember it from this post). 

To get me started, Sarah has recommended several apps including Downdog (her favourite), Asana Rebel,  and Daily Yoga. 

The relaxation / Shavasana at the end (using a YIN yoga mattress and a meditation bolster) has become one of my favourite parts of the routine, it makes me feel so wonderfully calm and also leaves me feeling centred and balanced the rest of the day. Just what I need right now!  

Sidenote: how unbelievably soft and comfortable is yoga wear? I'm SO going to be wearing this kit around the house, I might stop short at going to the shops in it for now, no matter how tempting!).

Honestly, before this, I'd only ever heard of a yoga mat! Thank you so much to Sarah and Nordal for helping me to create my studio. It's a perfect place for some respite during these crazy times. I'm looking forward to my Autumn routine already! 

Oh, and I came up over the weekend to find Liv and Allie doing yoga here, it really warmed my heart! Maybe Per will be in on the act too soon - although, that remains to be seen! 

I'd love to hear from any yoga fans out there - any tips for some great apps / online classes? I'm only just finding my feet so all thoughts welcome. 

As always, do let me know if you have any questions about any of these items / this corner of my home! 

In the meantime, if anyone's looking for me, I'lll be right here. 

Niki

*This is a paid partnership with Nordal. However, all words are my own and I only ever work with brands I love and think you will too. Thank you for supporting the wonderful businesses that make My Scandinavian Home possible.

READ MORE...

11

A New Wall Colour In My Bedroom / How To Create a Textured Wall

Good morning friends, how was your weekend? Per and I have been busy painting our bedroom. Don't get me wrong, the 'blushing peach' (above) was really cosy, but with the impending (whisper it) autumn and darker days on their way (shudder!), we were keen to give it a fresh, light feel. In the past few years I've been really into lime paint and the beautiful matt nuanced / textured affect it creates. I've painted quite a few walls in my home already with this, but it occurred to me to share a little more about the process this time round- just in case you're tempted to do something similar in your home!

There's a bunch of great lime-based powder form paints out there. My go-to is Icelandic brand Kalklitir - (I've used it before in the kitchen and they kindly gifted this batch - thank you Audur!). We chose the shade 'Palladio' which is fairly light and I noticed, the same one Jacqueline Mikuta used in her apartment which I featured recently. It has a wonderful, calming aesthetic. 

How to apply it

Before you apply it, the trick is to think carefully about how nuanced / cloudy you would like your wall. Lighter colours will automatically show less affect. 

We used 1.7 litres of water for 1 kg of powder (although this varies depending on which brand you use) and applied it evenly using fairly straight / curved strokes for a relatively 'clean', subtle look. 

However, if you're looking for a more textured aesthetic, you can add more water and apply it fairly roughly, using a cross action (which we did on the final layer) - adding more in some areas than others. Or for a REALLY textured wall you can work the powder into a paste and apply it with a spatula.

Bear in mind that every wall is different and some have better absorption than others - so results will vary no matter what! 

Is it easy to apply?

When I shared the picture above on instagram I got asked a lot of questions about whether or not this type of paint is easy to apply. Firstly, I always think that when you see renovations online they always look so effortless. It's as if they appear by magic!!! But with any decorating there's always a lot of work involved - checking samples, taping adjacent walls and windows, removing appliances, cleaning the wall etc. 

However, once you get started applying chalk paint is really quick and easy with a brush - in fact I would say, it's way quicker than standard paint. But it can be very disconcerting the first time you use it as it feels like it's never going to cover whatever was underneath and looks SUPER patchy while it dries! Fear not though, it'll quickly settle and the coverage is great (we used three layers, but probably could have got away with two). 

On the other hand, applying it with a spatula is way more labour intensive - but no doubt worth it if that's the look you're going for! 

If you're using Kalklitir, there's more info about the application process here. 

How many layers do you need?

This always depends on the wall in question. I was slightly concerned as one of the walls in our bedroom (behind the office) is really dark - but since it had a matt (or semi-matt) finish we were able to apply the paint straight over it without any prep work. We ended up using three layers in total, allowing each layer to dry thoroughly in between.

Ready to see the result? Ta-daaaa:

As you can see, the texture is really subtle, but you can still see shifts in the colour which helps to add depth and interest the space. 

We're so happy with the result - I hope you like it as much as we do! If you have any questions about the paint please do give me a shout below and I'll do my best to help!

I'm so looking forward to sharing more pictures and info about our bedroom soon.

Have a great start to the week!

Niki 

Final image taken by me and styled by Helen Sturesson. 

READ MORE...

10

3 New lamps At Home from Hudson Valley Lighting

MSH partnership, all words are my own: 

Everyone has a 'thing' when it comes to the home, don't you think? For some it's chairs, for others it might be rugs, or smaller items such as books, art and plants. What's yours? I love all these pieces, but for me, it has to be lighting! I love the way it can be used to create an atmosphere. I appreciate how it's vital for practical tasks such as cooking or reading. And I'm inspired by the way it can be used to highlight the things you love - and hide the things you don't! You also can never really have enough lighting in a home (especially in wintertime), so I'm always on the lookout for something new. 

Recently, I added three shiny new lamps to our living space - courtesy of Hudson Valley Lighting Group. You might recognise the name from the wall sconce in my sitting room. The international brand sells hundreds of lamps, offering everything from pendants to outdoor wall sconces, all with exceptional quality. I'm excited to share the ones I've chosen this time, they've certainly brightened up some dark corners of our house and cottage! I hope you'll feel inspired / get some ideas for your own home too! 

New lighting at the Cottage

Last time we were up at the cottage we installed the Barron lamp in aged brass over the sink. I felt immediately drawn to it since it's inspired by the work of mid-century Danish architects who reduced the glare from electric lighting by applying layers and curved shades. The result is a soft, diffused glow, that immediately feels warm and cosy - or as the Danes would say hyggelig. 

In Scandinavia, people love to place lighting in the window since it gives off a warm and inviting feel - which is why I chose this position over the sink. But I could also see it hanging in the corner of a room, or next to a sofa (I have a feeling this one might get moved around quite a lot!). But for now, there'll be a lovely light shining from our cottage kitchen window! 

New Lighting in our Home Hallway

A few months ago I shared my latest hallway update, but we were still missing lighting (cue: guests fumbling around in the dark for their jackets and kids emptying the entire content of the wardrobe to find a tennis racket... that sort of thing!). Needless to say, good lighting in the hallway is key, especially on darker days and nights. We were lucky enough to have the power source already, so all that was needed was the actual fixture! 

I decided on the Estee semi-flush by Mitzi. It's actually available in two colours: polished nickel or aged brass - but you know me, I love a brass look! Usually Per helps me out when it comes to DIY, but actually I did most of the installation myself, it was surprisingly simple (the round glass pendants just screw into place). Admittedly I was wise enough not to attempt the wiring though - being a Physics teacher, that's definitely Per's area! 

I can't tell you what a huge difference this lighting makes to our hallway - it looks way smarter than before, and the Estee emits a great light - which can also be dimmed down with the right switch if you want to make your hall / sitting room / dining area more cosy. Love that! 

If you're curious about this piece, you might be interested to know that there's also a 6-arm version, which would be perfect for bigger spaces. 

I recently installed a mirror and hooks in the narrow section of our hallway (more details here) - which have been great for bouncing around light and also providing space for a (daily) overflow of coats, bags, hats etc. But I really wanted to add some interesting lighting to the area - and the Angela in aged brass by Mitzi fit the bill perfectly. 

I was pleasantly surprised by the weight (it's quite substantial which makes it feel really high quality!). I also love the cable - which is why I decided to hang it this way using a hook - some cables are designed to shine! 

It has a really cosy feel to it when switched on (especially if you use a dimmer switch like I have). Placed next to a mirror, the reflection immediately doubles the light source too, which brightens up this little corner of our home after dark! 

Next step... the hallway tiles - but that's a subject for another day! 

For now, we'll be enjoying the fact that we can actually see something when we arrive home or about to leave! 

Did you have a favourite lamp among these? Or perhaps you're after something different? If so, you can discover the full range of Hudson Valley Lighting Group lighting here. 

Niki

Photography: Niki Brantmark (and my kids - where I feature!)

Cottage kitchen Styling: Niki Brantmark

Hallway styling: Helen Sturesson

*This is a paid post in collaboration with Hudson Valley Lighting Group, however, all words are my own and I only ever work with brands I love and think you will too. Thank you for supporting the businesses that make My Scandinavian Home possible. 

READ MORE...

4